Hua Yu Wee 华友园

Hua Yu Wee is an old school Cze Char housed in a Colonial bungalow along upper East Coast Road.
Restaurant is known for its nostalgic feel and pocket friendly Cze Char dishes.

Hua Yu Wee Seafood Restaurant

Given a Friday evening, the place was bustling with people, young and old. Given this, dining is only make possible with reservations even though restaurant have extended its seating into the backyard area. Servers were dressed in Kerbaya which reminds me of Singapore Airlines where our air stewardess are all dressed in such traditional costumes.

Hua Yu Wee

Best is parking is free and even if the parking lots are full, valet parking is available without additional cost.

Valet Parking for Free

Going straight after the main gate will be where the diners gather. However if you are wondering where did they prepare the food, well if you look closer on the left side after entering the main gate, you will see a block perpendicular to the main dining area where you heard lots of hitting noises from the wok and pans, that's the one.

Driving into Hua Yu Wee

Looking around the tables and it seems to be a popular dish in Hua Yu Wee. It was sweetly coated in sauce and all I can say that its crispy and gave a good cracking feel when you bite on it.

Deep Fried Baby Squids - $12.84

The Tofu was good. The perfection of a little crispy on the outside cradling the soft silky tofu inside where the top layer was cover with spinach, assorted mushrooms and enoki. The sweet and starchy gravy was so pleasant and moreover with the enoki, they give the dish an extra bite.

Tofu

We all like healthier choices and for the greens we had stirred fried broccoli with garlic. Simple food like this is comfort food as the gravy tastes good with a bowl of plain rice.

Garlic with Broccoli - $10.70 / $16.05 / $21.40

Oh yeah! Oatmeal with prawns was definitely fragrant. Prawns were fresh and plump. Surprisingly, the fried oatmeal were pillowy soft.

Prawn with Oatmeal - $20.33 / $40.66 / $55.64

The entire chicken was very well deep fried and preserved. It was such tasty that I had a thought I'm attending someone's dinner as the service was good with servers dividing out into portions for the table of us.

Feng Sha Chicken 风沙鸡 - $32.10

Given the traditional place, Salted Egg Yolk crab is not in the menu, however they do serve the common ones like ketchup with chilli, black pepper, salt and pepper baked, deep fried butter and steamed crab. Crabs were all charged at $7.28 per 100g.

Steamed Crab

We ordered the most original recipe and did not expect it to turn out so well! It was all impressive, at least to us with its most original flavour without additional sauces it was tasty in its juiciest and plump fresh. On top of that these crustaceans were placed on a bed of steamed egg which makes it presentable and unique in its style. Steam eggs were silky, light and refreshing. Believe me, I cant simply stop at one spoonful.

On the bed of steamed egg

Next will be crab again but served in the mixture of Tomato Ketchup and chilli sauce. The amount of spice was well balance out by the ketchup. Meat was as fresh and plump. However, more votes will still be given to the original steamed crab.

Ketchup and Chilli Crab

Take these lovely Mantou for a dip inside the spicy chilli sauce and soak them up!

Fried Mantou

When all yummy food fills our tummy, here comes the complimentary food from the restaurant. We have a platter of 2 melons, watermleon and honey dew melon. They were served chilled and tasted sweet.

Complimentary fruits

Being the first timer there, even though the environment may seems a little bit of chaotic initially, I would say that servers were all professionally trained. We are dining in big groups, occupying 2 tables and service was rather prompt without having our serving mixed up with others. As a whole, I like the place as it is good for gathering and family dinners. Even if you are there to celebrate your birthday, they are there to help you play the birthday song in the background for you!

Rating: 4 / 5

Hua Yu Wee
Location: 462 Upper East Coast Road Singapore 466508

Ronin [Closed]

If you have not take a look closely, you will have miss out Ronin which is located at 17 Hong Kong Street. The facade is pretty usual like a office building and has no attention catching signage that make the place known.

Ronin

As I went into the cafe, I was kind of shock with its crowd. Just imagine a place without signage, this cafe is surely doing good! The place was furnished in the industrial theme, dimmed but cosy with Menu attached to the wall. If you are looking for a great variety of food, then this place isn't quite for you as their menu is short and sweet, straight forward.

Menu on the wall

Be prepared to share tables with someone as I was told that the place was bustling with Cafehoppers during the weekends especially. Long Black is served in Hot and Cold with a dollar difference. Long Black has nothing to rave about as it quite ordinary. Perhaps we should have ordered their signature drink "Wicked".

Long Black (Hot) - $5

While the non coffee me prefers Matcha-Toned, it reminded me of my capsule drink from Dolce Gusto. The fun part about this is that those Green Matcha were sticked onto the wall of the glass and in order to experience the drink fully, I have to make a good stir in the cup.

Matcha-Toned - $6

Choice of Toast can be chosen, either Sourdough or seeded with Butter & Jam Lady Jam. We had something kind of mix and match on the menu with Eggs on our toast, scambled added with Pork Sausage and Portobello mushroom. Pretty ordinary.

Eggs on Toast with Sausage and Mushrooms - $18.50

Dirty Ronin does look dirty spreading on the Sandwiches and I guess perhaps this is how they name it after. These are quite challenging for fork and knife and I decided to use it bare hands. Sandwiches ingredients includes Chorizo (pork sausage), Emmental Cheese, soft egg, Miso Mayo and lettuce. The sandwiches wasn't quite for me as it was quite hard.

Dirty Ronin - $15

Overall, I felt that the place is more for coffee lover and nothing much about the food as menu was not extensive for us.

Rating: 3 / 5

Ronin
Location: 17 Hongkong Street #01-01 Singapore 059660
Operating Hours: 8am - 6pm Daily
Website

Violet Oon Satay Bar & Grill

Cheers to April as April is always Fabulous with food. I have heard of Violet Oon's Peranakan Food and always wanted to try thus wish was granted. However instead of going to the one located in Bukit Timah, we went to their latest restaurant located in Clarke Quay.

Violet Oon Satay Bar & Grill

Interior Dining

I was not surprise of its interior as it was kind of along the line where a Bar's ambiance will be liked. However it still have a good feel of Peranakan Style (old school) amongst those modern furnishing, decking out in dark woods and authentic Peranakan tiles. Overall the place reminds me of their rich culture but with a revamp into today's settings.

Bar Counter

If you are hankering for Violet Oon's Peranankan Cuisine like me, fret not. Even though this is a bar and grill, they do incorporate many popular dishes like Ayam Buah Keluah, Kueh Pie Tee, Ngoh Hiang etc.

Nice Ceiling Fans

On the left after entering the restaurant

Suitable for vegetarian, these Fried Bean Curds were served with julienned cucumber and fresh beansprouts. Bean Curds were sliced and topped with very yummy Violet's Signature sweet and tangy peanut sauce. A perfect go to start your meal if you are looking for some appetizers.

Tau Hu Goreng - $9

One of the best Ngoh Hiang i ever had for it was not oily and these Ngoh Hiang tastes refreshing with the crispy deep fried bean curd skin cradling ingredients like prawn, crab and minced chicken with water chestnut seasoning as well as five spice powder. Dipped this fried Ngoh Hiang into the given sweet sauce or Sambal Belachan. It also goes well with the seasoned sides - Achar.

Ngoh Hiang - $15

On the Serving Board

When it comes to Nonya Food, this is the classic. Spicy and tangy chicken stew with a few Buah Keluak nuts infused with fresh root spices of Lengkuas and Tumeric. I like that the Chicken meat was tender with generous serving of Buah Keluak however it still lacked the good taste that i find on the meat. Could it be the strong tumeric soury taste had overtaken the authentic taste?

Buah Keluak Ayam - $23

With a variety of Satay to choose from, each type of meat comes  in a plate of 3. We had the large chicken chunks marinated in spices, grilled and served with thick flavour pack spicy peanut toasted sauce topped with freshly grated pineapple, steam rice cake, cucumber and red onion. Recommended!

Chicken Satay - $14

Marinated Chicken Satay

You cant miss out this classic dish from the menu! I would say the all time favourite to order. This festive dish of braised mixed vegetables and bean curd skin in a rich prawn bisque is really awesome, love the part where the mushrooms were so juicy and plump. It may seems a bit oily but best of all its not cloying at all.

Chap Chye - $15

Choose between Nasi Lemak Rice and Jasmine Rice. The Nasi Lemak Rice is served elegantly in a small little white pot, packed with alluring fragrance of the coconut milk.

Nasi Lemak Rice - $2

Loving the sweet ending to our meal with a scoop of Gula Melaka and coconut ice cream drenched with Gula Melaka syrup. What makes the good experience will be the toasted cashew nuts toppings.

VO's Ice Cream with Cashew Crunch - $10

Overall, I find that it is a good place for gathering as well as chill out. The ambiance makes alot of difference and you will never feel as if like you are visiting the usual traditional Peranakan Place.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Violet Oon Satay Bar & Grill
Location: Clarke Quay 01-18-B, 3 River Valley Rd, Singapore 179024
Tel: +65 9834 9935
Opening Hours: 6:00pm – 12:00am Daily

ButterNut

The Stall ButterNut is name after a type of squash that tastes similar to pumpkin with a kind of sweet and nutty taste. ButterNut was recently launched in end of January and located at Taman Jurong Hawker & Food Centre serving Salad, pizza, Western and Fusion Food.

Stall Front

Pizzas

Thin Crust and entirely handmade. I would never have expected such crispy pizza to be found from a Hawker Stall. These pizza are sincerely hand kneaded and freshly prepared, simply worth waiting for! Besides that, there are some pizza that are Vegan friendly, do make a trip down and support the young generation of Hawkers!

A strong wave of Truffle smell hits me as soon I received the plate of pizza. The thin crust pizza's based with Mozzarella cheese, Parmesan Cheese, topped with white button mushroom slices, shimeiji mushrooms and of course drizzled with the aromatic Truffle Oil. This dish is Vegan friendly.

Mushroom Truffle Pizza (Vegan) - $8

Close up on the Mushrooms

Recommended on the menu and selling like pancakes! Base likewise is filled with both Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese, topped with butternut chunks and chicken slices.

ButterNut Chicken Pizza - $7

This is my alternative choice when the Signature's ButterNut Chicken Pizza runs out.

Bratwurst Chicken Pizza - $6

Thin crust pizza topped with beef pepperoni slices, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.

Beef Pepperoni Pizza - $6

Stall owners have you at hard, fret not for the vegans! In fact this herb pizza is vegans' hot pick. Thin crust pizza topped with oregano, parsley, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan Cheese.

Herbs Pizza (Vegan) - $6

Carving for some juicy pineapples on your pizza? Order their Hawaiian thin crust Pizza with chicken ham slices, chunks of pineapple, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.

Hawaiian Pizza - $7

Yummy Peking duck sauce over smoked duck slices with mozzarella cheese as base of the thin crust pizza. Simply love the sweet savoury goodness.

Smoked Duck Pizza - $8

 A recent addition to the menu, Chicken with Mushroom pizza! Fragrant and delicious!

Chicken Mushroom Pizza - $8

Salads

Don't leave the place without a plate of healthy salad either! You can choose to customize your own salad with detailed pricing by the side of the menu board or even try out their preset Salad Menu. I believe you will be back for more. For every salad, you are feel to choose your own dressing with Honey Mustard, Wasabi Soy or Balsamic Vinaigrette. ( Tip: It won't go wrong without their Special Blend Honey Mustard Sauce, Yummy!)

Salmon Salad, also known as the Garden's Catch consists of  Salmon Steak, Romaine, Tri-coloured Fusili, ButterNut, mashed Sweet Potato, Sauteed mixed Shrooms, Chia Seeds. Salmon was very well baked with perfect texture and minimum fishy smell.

Salmon Salad - $9

Perfect!

How about some Roaming Chicken Salad to boost your protein? Uniformly cut slices of chicken laid neatly on top of the bed of vegetables like Romaine, ButterNut, mashed Sweet Potato, Sauteed Mixed Shrooms, Chia Seeds.

Chicken Salad - $7

My Choice of Sauce: Balsamic Vinaigrette & Honey Mustard

Always don't feel comfortable eating Smoked Meat but I'm quite surprised with Mandarin Duck Salad.The Smoked duck was not as salty as I would have expected. The default portion comes with romaine, quinoa, ButterNut, Cherry, Tomatoes, Baby Carrots, Roasted Sesame Seeds. However you can also add on some other items like brown rice. Don't worry, you can also Tweak abit on your salad if you prefer to have some items more in quantity.

Duck Salad - $8

Too please with the colors I had on my plate. It really light up my mood! Portion of  Ebi Prawn Salad comes with fried Ebi Prawns, mixed greens, quinoa, ButterNut, Sauteed mixed shrooms, baby carrots, roasted sesame seeds.

Ebi Prawns Salad

My choice of Sauce: Wasabi Soy

Bar Snacks

Comparing to the usual kind of fries, I always prefer Sweet Potato Fries. Sprinkled with Special Seasoning that tasted of Cinnamon powder, that's a fantastic harmony!

Sweet Potato Fries with Special Seasoning - $4

The next bar snacks that worth a try will be their Garlic Oregano Chicken Wings. The overnight marinate had lift its flavors in the chicken wings. Crispy texture with light garlicky taste in the meat, I guess it will be good to pair with some beer.

Garlic Oregano Chicken Wings - $4.50 (3 Pcs)

Coming back to its Business Name, I'm quite impressed by the taste of the food and the name speaks well for itself. Butternut were well prepared, they were not too hard nor mushy and the main ingredient of salads. In conjunction with the healthy living style that most of us are working forward to, the existence of ButterNut had injected a new excitement to what we are expecting from an old school hawker food. I'm looking forward to the upcoming expansion of their menu.

Rating: 4 / 5

ButterNut
Location: 3 Yung Sheng Road #02-108 Singapore 618499
Operating Hours: Monday & Sunday - Closed
                                Tuesday - Saturday : 11.30 - 14.00
                                                                  18.30 - 21.00
                           

Buttergrill

Though some said Valentine's Day is quite commercialized, we still manage to grab a place for dinner in Buttergrill along the busy Tanjong Pagar Road. Sinking into the atmosphere, seeing lovely couples in all corners of the restaurant enjoying their dates.

Buttergrill is a 2 storey high place for drinks and dining. They are unique as they have different kinds of home made butter. Even before entering into the restaurant I had absolutely no knowledge of it .

We started ordering beverages while waiting for the busy kitchen to have our dishes whipped up. Berries Power tasted refreshing and topped with Chia Seeds.

Berries Power - $7.50

Healthy Lychee flavour mint drink which was recommended by the server was topped with Chia Seeds too.

Lychee Mint - $7.50

Pu Pu Platter which is best to share among 3-4 pax come with a slab of Angus Sirloin that we requested to cook to Medium Well. It also includes a chicken leg, Norwegian Salmon Fillet and Whole King Prawn. Sides like scoop of mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables drizzeld with vinaigrette were served together.

Pu Pu - $108

With so many home made butters to choose from, we decided on the French Butter as it was best recommended for meat. The servings were already spread with our choice of butter and the spare are given on a saucer.

Pu Pu (Top View)

French Butter

Being a moderate-size eater, we manage this platter quite well and finished them up even though we are just 2 pax, perhaps we did not order any other sides. Love the criss cross grill lines on the salmon fillet, remember to squeeze some lemon juice over it to remove its fishy smell.

Norwegian Salmon Fillet

Chicken thigh on the other hand was rather bland in taste, lacking the punch of marination.  Prawns were fresh and served with caviar.

Whole King Prawn

Food in overall is rather decent, nothing to shout at. Nevertheless, their grill with different homemade butter is still a different style of marketing that will attract curious foodie like us to try it out.

Rating: 3 / 5 

Buttergrill
Location: 114 Tanjong Pagar Road, 088529
Website